Very often we buy things impulsively because of the catchy advertising, without really giving much thought in regards to the products’ value. If we really care for our own well being and that of our family, it’s high time that we seriously reexamine our buying habits and condition our minds to check the worthiness of the products we buy.
Let’s think about the difference between the regular bath soap that we often buy and natural bath oils. The ordinary bath soap is no different from a detergent bar or a laundry bar which is petroleum based. It may contain harsh chemicals that can cause skin irritation and dryness. Another skin irritant is the free alkali that may remain in ordinary soap when passed through inferior processes. Natural bath oils on the other hand are a mixture of a variety of oil extracts from plants, herbs and leaves of trees with vegetable (carrier) oil and sometimes with a little alcohol from vodka or bourbon. A few drops or a teaspoon of the bath oil is mixed into the tub or may also be applied directly to the skin before and after a shower. Natural oil is the best for skin care because it does not contain any synthetic ingredients that are known to cause irritation or allergies Bath bar.
Using natural bath oils is an ancient practice that dates back to the time of the pharaohs in Egypt where oil extracts from cedar wood, nutmeg, and cinnamon were used to embalm the dead. Evidence of this was found during the excavation of tombs where a whiff of pleasant fragrance was also discovered. The Greeks eventually learned from the Egyptians and became avid users of natural oils for bath and massage. The practice of using aromatic herbs and wood were evident in ancient China, India, Rome and Arabia. The use of natural oils was handed down from generation to generation until the term aromatherapy came out in the early part of the 20th century after pure lavender oil was found to heal burns.
Today, more and more people have learned to appreciate the healing value of using natural oils not only physically but mentally and emotionally as well. Lavender oil not only heals burns but it triggers the brain waves that stimulate relaxation, while Jasmine oil enhances alertness. A study made by a fragrance company in Japan showed that the sharp and refreshing lemon fragrance improved the alertness of keyboard operators by 54%. In Africa, the women extract oil or butter from the seeds of the karite fruit, which can be used as natural sunscreen and is effective in preventing stretch marks. The butter extract is also known to have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects.
Because of the growing market for natural oils for bath and aromatherapy, there are so many products being sold out there that scream natural and therapeutic. Again, it is important to be more cautious and to check out the labels and sources of the product before you purchase them. Go to trusted stores that sell brands whose quality has been tested through time.